Soft robotic orthopedic device

Abstract

A compact, portable, easily implemented soft robotic orthopedic stabilization device for adjustably and selectively stabilizing a fractured or otherwise injured limb of a patient while providing convenient access to portions of the limb for treatment thereof.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A orthopedic device comprising:
 an actuator comprising a flexible body with a plurality of interconnected chambers disposed therein, the flexible body comprising a first relatively elastic portion, and a second relatively strain limiting portion;   a spine comprising a connection point for removably attaching the actuator; and   a fluid inlet in fluid communication with the plurality of interconnected chambers of the flexible body, the fluid inlet configured to couple to a fluid source for controlling a pressure within the plurality of interconnected chambers, wherein increasing the pressure causes the first portion of the flexible body to bend around the second portion of the flexible body, thereby causing the actuator to change shape.   
     
     
         2 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , the flexible body comprising a plurality of first portions and a plurality of second portions, wherein increasing the pressure causes the actuator to assume a shape including at least one of a plurality of bends or a compound bend. 
     
     
         3 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of actuators transversally attached to the spine in a longitudinally-spaced relationship. 
     
     
         4 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , the spine comprising a collapsible body with an interior fluid chamber, wherein a rigidity of the spine varies with a pressure within the interior fluid chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , the spine comprising
 a quick disconnect valve for coupling with the fluid inlet, wherein, upon coupling, the quick disconnect valve is in fluid communication with the plurality of interconnected chambers; and   a fluid source in fluid communication with the quick disconnect valve, wherein the fluid source controllably alters the pressure in the plurality of chambers, thereby causing the actuator to change shape.   
     
     
         6 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , further comprising a fluid source for connecting to the fluid inlet to alter the pressure in the plurality of interconnected chambers of the actuator. 
     
     
         7 . The orthopedic device of  claim 6 , comprising a plurality of actuators, the fluid source configured to independently couple with each of the plurality of actuators for controllably altering the pressure in the plurality of interconnected chambers of a coupled actuator. 
     
     
         8 . An orthopedic device, comprising:
 a spine; and   an actuator formed at least partly of an elastomeric material and having a pressurizeable internal fluid compartment, wherein the actuator is affixed to the spine and configured to wrap around and stabilize a limb of a patient when the internal fluid compartment is pressurized and to assume a flexible, collapsible configuration when the internal fluid compartment is depressurized.   
     
     
         9 . The orthopedic device of  claim 8 , comprising a supplemental beam for applying additional stabilization to the limb, wherein the supplemental beam is affixed to the actuator. 
     
     
         10 . The orthopedic device of  claim 9 , the supplemental beam comprising a collapsible body with an interior fluid chamber, wherein a rigidity of the supplemental beam varies with a pressure within the interior fluid chamber. 
     
     
         11 . The orthopedic device of  claim 8 , wherein the spine is plastically deformable for conforming to a contour of a limb. 
     
     
         12 . The orthopedic device of  claim 8 , comprising a plurality of actuators, wherein the plurality of actuators are independently pressurizeable for selectively applying force to one or more specific areas of the limb. 
     
     
         13 . The orthopedic device of  claim 8 , the actuator comprising a foam mixer/ejector, wherein the foam mixer/ejector is in fluid communication with the pressurizeable internal fluid compartment. 
     
     
         14 . The orthopedic device of  claim 8 , the actuator comprising a membrane, the membrane configured to expand away from the limb of the patient, the membrane for limiting an amount of pressure applied to the limb of the patient. 
     
     
         15 . A method for treating a patient, comprising the steps of:
 contacting a limb of the patient with an orthopedic device, comprising:
 an actuator comprising a flexible body with a plurality of interconnected chambers disposed therein, the flexible body comprising a first relatively elastic portion, and a second relatively strain limiting portion; 
 a spine comprising a connection point for removably attaching the actuator; and 
 a fluid inlet in fluid communication with the plurality of interconnected chambers of the flexible body, the fluid inlet configured to couple to a fluid source for controlling a pressure within the plurality of interconnected chambers, wherein increasing the pressure causes the first portion of the flexible body to bend around the second portion of the flexible body, thereby causing the actuator to change shape. 
   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the steps of:
 coupling a fluid source to the fluid inlet; and   altering, selectively, the pressure within the plurality of interconnected chambers.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of conforming the spine to a contour of the limb. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of positioning the spine adjacent to the limb, with the spine extending longitudinally along at least a portion of the limb. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of positioning the actuator in transverse engagement with the limb. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of pressurizing the plurality of interconnected chambers of the actuator, the pressurizing causing the actuator to at least partially wrap around the limb, thereby stabilizing it.